DUNBARTON BOARD OF SELECTMEN

MINUTES OF MEETING

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 3,  2005

TOWN OFFICES – 7:00 P.M.

 

The regularly scheduled weekly meeting of the Dunbarton Board of Selectmen was held at the above time, date and place with Chairman J. R. Swindlehurst presiding.  It was noted that the meeting was called to order at 7:01 p.m.  The following were present:

 

                J. R. Swindlehurst, Chairman

                Charles (Chuck) Graybill

                Janice VandeBogart, Town Administrator

 

The Selectmen signed checks prior to the Public Meeting was called to order.

 

GENERAL BUSINESS:

 

                Town Clerk, Vital Records Work Station: 

 

Linda Peters, Town Clerk, appeared before the Board to discuss the possibility of the Dunbarton Town Clerk’s Office having a computer tie-in with the State Department of Vital Records.  She stated she has been discussing the possibility with Eric Allen, Information Technology for the State of New Hampshire.  The State is trying to get all Town Clerks on-line.  By going on-line, the Town Clerk  can issue particular documents to the public instead of them having to go to the State Vital Records or other Towns within New Hampshire.  This is a nice way to get on-line with the State.  The State will provide the computer, printer, etc. at no cost to the town.  The only stipulation is that we cannot load anything on the computer.  The computer would be available as another work station within the Town Clerk’s Office for Word, etc.    We need a high speed internet connection which we already have.  The Town will run the cable and the State will do everything else.  The State brings in the PC and does the training which will be done on the 23rd of February.   She requested permission from the Selectmen to go ahead with this project. 

 

Janice VandeBogart stated that the Town Technology person can install the necessary cable.

 

The Selectmen agreed that this would be a good thing for the Town and gave her permission to go ahead to make the arrangements.

 

Linda Peters also asked permission to purchase some sort of a work station to put the computer on.  She is looking for a place to set the computer up.  Probably on the wall behind her desk. 

 

The Selectmen also agreed to go ahead with looking into the purchase of a work station.  She will coordinate with Janice VandeBogart. 

 

At this point in the meeting, J. R. Swindlehurst, Selectman, stepped down from the Board to address the Board as follows:

 

Charles Graybill, Selectman, stated he wanted to make the following comment for the record:

 

“Recently, the Dunbarton Ethics Committee held a hearing regarding J. R. Swindlehurst regarding a conflict of interest, and I want to say this conflict was never officially brought to the Dunbarton Board of Selectmen, and I would like a copy of these minutes sent to the Dunbarton Ethics Committee in support of J. R. Swindlehurst.”

 

J. R. Swindlehurst asked the Dunbarton Board of Selectmen, the following questions:

 

  1. Who has the bid for the Town of Dunbarton Fuel Contract?

 

Answer:  Dunbarton Fuel Service Inc. 

 

  1. Regarding the cap of $10,000 on the “point quota system for Fire Department”, which was capped in the calendar year 2003 at whose suggestion?

 

Answer:  Charles (Chuck) Graybill stated it was his suggestion, both he and the Fire Chief. 

 

  1. Did either Lori Davis or Alan Rockenbach file an official complaint either in writing or verbally before going to the Ethics Committee? 

 

Answer: Charles (Chuck) Graybill stated, “No, not an official complaint”.  Charles (Chuck) Graybill stated the only reference made by Lori Davis was regarding Patrick (Woody) Bowne’s Ethic Committee’s decision regarding running a private business (dump pickup) and working at the Transfer Station as a Town employee, was she made reference as to why did we handle this in a particular way when it didn’t apply to you (J. R. Swindlehurst) in your business in the Town and others within the Town.

 

At this point, J. R. Swindlehurst, Selectman, stepped back onto the Board of Selectmen.

 

TOWN REPORTS: 

 

Janice VandeBogart, Town Administrator, reported that the Town Report for 2004 will be on-line.  In addition, there will be a notice in the Bow Times to this effect and how residents can obtain it.  Will be ready on March 1, 2005. 

 

NEW PHONE SYSTEM:

 

Janice VandeBogart, Town Administrator, reported on the proposed new phone system.  She explained how it will work.  Other Departments such as the Transfer Station and the Highway Department will be able to connect into it. 

 

SALT SHED:

 

Charles (Chuck) Graybill confirmed with Janice VandeBogart that the Salt Shed has not yet gone out to bid.   Quotes received were only estimates, etc. 

 

EMPLOYEE’S HEALTH BENEFITS:

 

Charles (Chuck) Graybill stated he wanted to make sure that the Town include for any new hires or people moved up to full-time from this point on, that the Town pays 100% of the Town employee’s health benefits and pays only 80% towards spouse and dependents health benefits.  Would like to make sure this is included in the Personnel Handbook.

 

The Chairman asked for comments from the General Public.

 

There were no comments from the General Public. 

 

There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 8:05 p.m.

 

                                                                                                                                Respectfully submitted,

 

 

                                                                                                                                Alison R. Vallieres

Recording Secretary

 

________________________________________

J. R. Swindlehurst, Chairman, Board of Selectmen

 

_______________________________________

Charles (Chuck) Graybill, Selectman

 

_______________________________________

Mert Mann, Selectman